British NVC community OV6

British NVC community OV6 (Cerastium glomeratum - Fumaria muralis ssp. boraei community) is one of the open habitat communities in the British National Vegetation Classification system. It is one of six arable weed and track-side communities of light, less-fertile acid soils.

It is a widespread community. There are no subcommunities.

Community composition

The following constant species are found in this community:

• Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)
• Sticky mouse-ear (Cerastium glomeratum)
• Common ramping-fumitory (Fumaria muralis ssp. boraei)
• Toad rush (Juncus bufonius)
• Annual meadow-grass (Poa annua)
• Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
• Prickly sow-thistle (Sonchus asper)

Four rare species are associated with the community:

• Babington's leek (Allium babingtonii)
• Lesser quaking-grass (Briza minor)
• Tall ramping-fumitory (Fumaria bastardii)
• Small-flowered catchfly (Silene gallica)

Distribution

This community is confined to disturbed, fertile, light soils in the damper oceanic climate of south-west England. It is found only in The Scillies and south-west Cornwall. It is closely associated with the Briza minor - Silene gallica community, which often replaces it on drier soils.

Subcommunities

There are three subcommunities:

• the Aphanes microcarpa - Ranunculus muricatus subcommunity
• the Valerianella locusta - Barbula convoluta subcommunity
• the Vicia hirsuta - Papaver dubium subcommunity

References

Rodwell, John S, ed. (March 2000). Maritime communities and vegetation of open habitats. British Plant Communities. Vol. 5. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-39167-2.